In vitro method for inducing nuclear swelling

Description

FIELD ON THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention concerns products and methods for analysis of non-dividing mammalian cell nuclei, such as human fetal cell nuclei and mammalian sperm cell nuclei.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Jackson, Seminars in Perinatology 15:49 (1991), describes various procedures for prenatal diagnosis, including procedures to diagnose diseases. These procedures involve analysis of the DNA present in early embryonic stages. Specifically, Jackson mentions the use of a polymerase chain reaction to amplify genes, and the possibility of testing oocytes by polar body assay. According to Jackson:

"There are other conceivable embryo biopsy approaches for prenatal diagnosis. The trophectoderm may be obtained at later, multicellular embryonic stages when more cells might be obtained and induced to replicate in tissue culture.... Another approach to early prenatal diagnosis is the recovery of fetal cells in the maternal circulation. This tantalizing possibility for a non-invasive method has been pursued for several years by groups in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Both groups originally sought placental immunologic markers for identification and recovery of these cells. Several trophoblast antibodies were developed, some of which appeared to have relative specificity for the fetal cell. After sporadic reports of success, recent articles appear to indicate that these markers are insufficiently specific and actually are attached to maternal cells frequently enough to make this approach unworkable to date."

[0003] Bianchi et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 3279 (1990), describe isolating fetal nucleated erythrocytes in maternal blood using a monoclonal antibody against the transferrin receptor. They state that they "were successful in detecting the Y chromosomal sequence in 75% of male-bearing pregnancies, demonstrating that it is possible to isolate fetal gene sequences from cells in maternal blood."

[0004] According to Roberts, Science 18:378 (1991), two procedures available for prenatal screening are chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis. Both these procedures have problems involving waiting time and risk of miscarriage, "estimated at 1% to 2% for CVS and 0.5% for amniocentesis." Supra. Roberts also points out a procedure for analyzing nuclear DNA directly when cells are in interphase.

[0005] Lohka and Masui, Science 220:719 (1983), describe inducing the formation of a nuclear envelope in demembraned sperm of Xenopus laevis using a cell-free preparation from the cytoplasm of activated eggs of Rana pipiens.

[0006] Leno and Laskey, J. Cell Biology 112:557, (1991), performed experiments using erythrocytes from adult chickens. According to Leno:

"Coppock et al. (1989) [Supra] have reported that a pretreatment with trypsin was required for nuclear decondensation and DNA replication of Xenopus erythrocyte nuclei in egg extract. Trypsin pretreatment was not required for nuclear decondensation and DNA replication in our extracts."

[0007] Gordon et al., Experimental Cell Research 157:409 (1985), describe "a system for the activation of human sperm using cell-free extracts from Xenopus laevis eggs." Similarly, an abstract, by Brown et al., J. Cell Biology 99:396a (1984), indicate that nuclear changes which occur during the early phases of fertilization can be stimulated by injecting isolated sperm nuclei into heterologous recipient eggs, or by incubating frog sperm nuclei in the presence of cell-free extracts from frog eggs. They state that they found human sperm can be activated in vitro using Xenopus laevis frog egg extract to stimulate the early events of nuclear activation, including chromatin decondensation, nuclear enlargement and DNA synthesis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention concerns products and methods useful for causing non-dividing nuclei to activate (e.g., go through one or more steps of nuclear activation). The featured products and methods are particularly useful for activating human fetal cell nuclei and mammalian sperm cell nuclei. "Activation" of a non-dividing cell nucleus refers in the present invention to nuclear swelling.

[0009] Nucleic acids can be analyzed at the stage of activation, brought about by the present invention, to obtain useful information such as information about nucleic acid structure, sequences, number of copies of a nucleic acid sequence, and nuclear location of a nucleic acid. Analysis of nucleic acids can be carried out using techniques known in the art such as in situ hybridization.

[0010] One particular advantage of the present invention is its use in prenatal diagnosis. Activation of fetal cell nuclei can be used to facilitate prenatal diagnosis of various human conditions. Nuclei from of all types of human fetal cells including blood cells (such as red cells, white cells and other circulating cells of the fetus), as well as other types of fetal cells such as cells found in the amniotic fluid, or cells derived from the placenta (such as trophoblasts or syncytial trophoblasts), can be activated using the described products and methods. Preferably, the fetal cells to be activated are recovered from the blood or tissue of a pregnant woman rather than directly from the fetus or placenta, thereby decreasing the likelihood of discomfort or harm to the fetus and/or mother by the diagnosis procedure.

[0011] "Activation activity" refers to the ability of an agent to bring about nuclear activation. Examples of agents which bring about nuclear activation include a non-activated cytostatic factor (CSF) extract. Enhancement of activation activity refers to an increase in the activation activity which is brought about by an agent which causes nuclear activation. Examples of agents which enhance nuclear activation caused by an activating agent include CSF extract.

[0012] Activation activity can be measured using techniques known in the art. Such techniques include microscopic visualization of swollen nuclei, incorporation of labelled nucleic acid precursors into newly synthesized nucleic acid, microscopic visualization of metaphase chromosomes, and in situ hybridization.

[0013] The featured methods include pretreating a non-dividing human nucleus to enhance its ability to activate, bringing about complete or partial nuclear activation, and both bringing about and analyzing such nuclear activation on a microchamber microscope slide. Other useful methods disclosed include preparing products such as an activating egg extract, a CSF extract, and a modified CSF extract; the use of a protease pretreatment step in the activation of sperm; an activation assay; a retroviral integration assay; and a procedure for cloning whole animals using activated nuclei.

[0014] The nucleus of a non-dividing fetal cell or a sperm cell is normally small, has condensed chromatin, and does not replicate or divide. Specific nucleic acid sequences in the nucleus of these cells can be stained by fluorescent in situ hybridization methods if the target nucleic acid sequence is accessible to the probe. However, the small size of the nucleus can affect the accessibility of particular nucleic acid sequences and the amount of information obtained from successful hybridization. Moreover, hybridization signals successfully obtained are limited in spacial resolution by the size of the nucleus. As a result, obtaining a reliable fluorescent signal can be difficult and the information obtained by fluorescent staining generally indicates only the presence or absence of accessible specific sequences, and possibly the number of such sequences per nucleus.

[0015] In the featured methods, the present invention brings about nuclear swelling. Genetic information can be obtained from such an event, which is characterized by changes in nuclear structure and function. Useful information obtained from this stage of activation includes facilitating the visualization of a particular chromosomal region using a probe by increasing the spacial resolution during swelling thereby increasing accessibility of the chromosomal region to the probe.

[0016] Thus, in the first aspect, the invention features a method for causing a nucleus from a human fetal cell to swell.

[0017] The present invention can be used to study fetal cell nuclei acid isolated by different procedures. For example, fetal cells can be obtained from circulating maternal blood, or by techniques such as amniocentesis or chorionic biopsy. Preferably, the fetal cell is obtained in a non-invasive manner (e.g., without disturbing the womb). Fetal cells such as erythrocytes and leukocytes cross the placenta and circulate transiently in maternal blood. Furthermore, trophoblasts which form the outermost placenta layer can pinch off and circulate in maternal blood. Trophoblasts typically end up trapped in the maternal lung capillary network.

[0018] Nuclear isolation and pretreatment is preferably carried out using mild conditions. Mild conditions are those which allows for nuclear isolation and pretreatment while causing the minimal amount of protein and nucleic acid damage. Using mild conditions helps maintain the integrity of the nucleic acid thereby decreasing artifacts during subsequent staining, and prevents premature protease activation thereby allowing subsequent protease treatment to occur under controlled conditions chosen to optimize such treatment.

[0019] Preferably, nuclear isolation and pretreatment to release a nucleus from its surrounding cytoskeleton thereby forming a pretreated nucleus is carried out in two steps; (1) membrane permeabilization, and (2) separation or alteration (e.g., denaturation or degradation) of cytoskeletal proteins and nuclear matrix proteins. These steps may be carried out simultaneously or separately. Formation of a pretreated nucleus is preferably carried out under conditions minimizing nucleic acid damage and damage to histones.

[0020] Membrane permeabilization, opens up the membrane thereby facilitating subsequent nuclear treatment. Different techniques may be used for membrane permeabilization including hypotonic shock, shearing and detergent. Preferably a non-ionic detergent is used to permeabilize the plasma and nuclear membranes. More preferably, lysolecithin is used as the non-ionic detergent.

[0021] Different procedures can be use to separate, denature, and degrade the cytoskeletal proteins surrounding the nucleus and nuclear matrix proteins within the nucleus. These procedures include the use of a thiol reducing agent to denature nuclear protein, using controlled salt extraction to selectively remove cytoskeletal and nuclear matrix proteins, and using controlled poly-anionic treatment to facilitate separation of negatively charged nucleic acid from the positively charged nuclear proteins. Separation conditions should be chosen to ensure a minimal amount of damage to nucleic acids, histones, and non-cytoskeletal proteins. Preferably, a protease is used under mild conditions to remove cytoskeletal proteins surrounding the nucleus. More preferably, trypsin is used as the protease. In the most preferred embodiment, pretreatment is achieved using trypsin and lysolecithin.

[0022] Nuclei are activated under non-synthesis conditions which inhibit nucleic acid synthesis. As a result, the nucleus swells with or without formation of a nuclear envelope but does not replicate DNA or enter mitosis. The resulting increased spacial resolution brought about by nuclear swelling facilitates the use of nucleic acid probes by making regions of nucleic acid more accessible. Non-synthesis conditions, which nevertheless permit nuclear swelling may be achieved by the addition of reagents such as 6-dimethylaminopurine (e.g., at 5 mM), to CSF extract.

[0023] In another aspect a method for inducing swelling in non-dividing nuclei is described. The method can be used to induce swelling in the absence of an activating extract and in the absence of DNA synthesis. In particular, CSF extract is supplemented with a protein kinase inhibitor and an aqueous solution.

[0024] In another aspect, a method for activating a mammalian sperm cell nucleus is described. The method involves the steps of: (a) pretreating a sperm cell, using a membrane permeabilizer, a protease, and a thiol reducing agent to form a pretreated sperm cell; and (b) activating the pretreated sperm cell. The method can be used to study sperm from different mammals. Such studies can be carried out, for example, to determination whether the sperm contains a particular gene or nucleic acid sequence which can be passed on during fertilization.

[0025] In another aspect, a product for causing nuclear swelling is described. The product contains CSF extract supplemented with a protein kinase inhibitor and an aqueous solution.

[0026] The advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, facilitating prenatal screening by optimizing conditions for nuclear activation, which causes the nucleus of a fetal cell to swell. Important information regarding nucleic acid sequences or chromosome morphology can be readily obtained from this stage of activation, for example by using DNA probes. Because some fetal cells, such as trophoblasts, erythrocytes, and leukocytes can be obtained from a maternal source, an advantage of the invention is a non-invasive procedure to detect the presence of genetic defects in such cells.

[0027] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof, and from the claims.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0028] The drawing will first briefly be described.

Drawing

[0029] Fig. 1 shows the effect on DNA replication of activated nuclei, of using CSF extract supplemented with 6-dimethylamino-purine (DMAP).

Methods And Products

[0030] Methods for activating nuclei include those described by Coppock et al., Developmental Biology 131:102 (1989); Wangh, J. Cell Science 93:1 (1989); Wood and Earnshaw, J. Cell Biology 111:2839 (1990); Leno and Laskey, J. Cell Biology 112:557 (1991); Young, Biology of Reproduction 20:1001 (1979); Philpott et al., Cell 65:569 (1991); Shamu and Murray, J. Cell Biology 117:921 (1992); Adachi et al., Cell 64:137 (1991); Newport and Spann, Cell 48:219 (1987); and Henry Harris, in CELL FUSION 40-50 (Harvard University Press 1970).

[0031] DiBerardino et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:8231 (1986), and Orr et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:1369 (1986) describe nuclear transplantation experiments to activate Rana pipiens nuclei. DiBerardino was able to obtain tadpoles having a survival rate of up to a month, by transplanting differentiated somatic cells into enucleated eggs.

[0032] The present invention discloses methods and products useful in activating a non-dividing nucleus, and studying such activation. These methods and products are especially useful for analyzing a nucleus from non-dividing human fetal cells such as aminocytes, keratinocytes, trophoblasts, erythrocytes and leukocytes. However, the methods and products are also useful for activating the nuclei from other types of non-dividing human cells such as other types of non-dividing fetal cells and sperm, and non-dividing cells isolated from other mammals.

[0033] Preparing a nucleus for nuclear activation and bringing about nuclear activation is described in detail below. Phases include : (1) preparation of non-dividing human nuclei, (2) preparation of non-activated CSF extracts from a source such as non-activated Xenopus eggs.

[0034] Also described in detail below are modified CSF extracts which can bring about nuclear swelling in the absence of an activating egg extract.

[0035] The featured methods and products can be used to cause activation of a non-dividing human nucleus thereby inducing swelling. The procedures provided herein regarding nuclei activation are generally based upon existing procedures used in other systems. However, improvements over the existing systems are disclosed. Furthermore, existing procedures have not previously been used on human fetal cells nor was it known if they would produce useful results on such cells.

[0036] Examples are given to illustrate different aspects and embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that various different modifications are possible and are within the scope of the appended claims.

I. NUCLEAR ACTIVATION

(1) Preparation Of Nuclei

[0037] The present invention provides a method for activation non-dividing mammalian cell nuclei, preferably non-dividing human cell nuclei. Before being activated non-dividing human nuclei are isolated and pretreated. A preferred source of non-dividing human cells are fetal cells recovered from the blood of pregnant women such as trophoblasts, erythrocytes and leukocytes (such as granulocytes, neutrophils, basophiles and eosinophils). Isolating these cells does not require penetration of the womb. The present invention is also useful for analyzing other types of non-dividing human cell nuclei, including non-dividing keratinocytes (e.g., those isolated from amniotic fluid), aminocytes, and sperm cells, or similar cells obtained from mammals other than humans.

[0038] Non-dividing fetal cells can be recovered from maternal blood supply using techniques such as antibody staining followed by cell sorting. (For example, see Bianchi entitled Non-Invasive Method For Isolation and Detection of Fetal DNA" PCT/US90/06623, hereby incorporated by reference herein). Antibody cell sorting techniques separate fetal and maternal cells based on the presence of different antigens on fetal and maternal cells. The antigen can be differentiated by suitable antibodies. Such antibodies which can be obtained by one skilled in art include HLe-1 which recognizes an antigen present on mature human leukocytes, such as granulocytes, and very immature erythrocyte precursor but not nucleated cells, and antibodies to the transferrin receptor. (E.g., see Bianchi, supra PCT/US90/06623.) Procedures using antibodies can be carried out by contacting a sample containing fetal and maternal blood with a labeled antibody recognizing either fetal cells or maternal cells. The antibody labeled cell can be sorted using standard techniques including flow cytometry, immunomagnetic beads and cell panning.

[0039] Non-dividing human cells should be isolated under mild conditions designed to prevent activation of extracellular proteases (for instance those of the plasma), intracellular proteases, or nucleases, as well as to prevent mechanical damage to cell structures. Inadvertent protease or nuclease activation during nuclear isolation could result in damaging both the genetic material of the cell and the protein structures within or around the nucleic acid. Possible nucleic acid damage includes, nucleic acid degradation, and damage to the structural state (e.g., supercoiling). One advantage of keeping the protein structure intact, is maintaining the cytoskeletal protein so it can be subsequently separated from nucleic acid under mild conditions minimizing damage to histones and non-skeletal proteins.

[0040] Preferably, solutions used to isolate cells contain protease inhibitor. Solutions used to isolate cells such as HBSS and NIB solutions can be supplemented with protease inhibitors as follows: 0.1 mg/ml heparin, 0.1 mM TPCK (N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone), 0.1 mM TLCK (Nα-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone), 0.05 mM PMSF (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride), 5 µg/ml leupeptin, or 31.25 mM Na₂S₂O₅.

[0041] After cell purification, the cell nucleus is preferably isolated and pretreated under mild conditions. Nuclear pretreatment is preferably comprised of two steps, which may be carried out simultaneously or separately; (1) membrane permeabilization, and (2) separation or alteration (e.g., denaturation and degradation) of cytoskeletal proteins and nuclear matrix proteins. Treatment should be carried out to minimize the damage to nucleic acid within the nucleus.

[0042] The separation or alteration of certain protein appears to be a necessary step for activation. In Xenopus erythrocytes, for instance, proteolytic digestion of cytoskeletal proteins, such as vimentin, appears to be a necessary step for subsequent nuclear activation. Coppock et al. Developmental Biology 131:102 (1989). The pretreatment should prepare the nucleus for subsequent activation rather than cause activation.

[0043] Desired conditions for plasma membrane permeabilization include mild detergent treatment, mild protease treatment, mild shearing, and mild hypotonic shock. Mild conditions are those conditions able to permeabilize the plasma membrane while creating the least amount of damage to the nuclear DNA and proteins. Permeabilization can be detected using trypan blue. Trypan blue is a dye which cannot enter intact cells. The entrance of trypan blue into a cell indicates permeabilization. Protein degradation due to inadvertent protease activation can be determined using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to look for protein degradation products. The intactness of nuclear nucleic acids can be established by using agarose gel electrophoresis to determine the presence of nucleic acid degradation products.

[0044] Possible pretreatments for separation or alteration of cytoskeletal proteins and nuclear matrix proteins include the following:

(a) Treatment with one or more thiol reducing agent such as 10 mM dithiothreitol for a limited time, at a controlled temperature and pH, to denature cytoskeletal protein;

(b) Controlled salt extraction, such as by washing in buffers supplemented with increasing amounts of NaCl or KCl in the range of 0.025 to 1.0 M, to selectively remove cytoskeletal proteins and proteins bound to DNA;

(c) Controlled poly-anion treatment, such as heparin at 0.01-1.0 mg/ml or penta sodium tripolyphosphate at 70 mM, in 10 mM borate buffer (TPP) at pH 9.0, to selectively remove positively charged cytoskeletal protein;

(d) Degradation of cytoskeletal proteins using a protease.

[0045] The extent of protein and DNA damage can be measured as described above. Preferably, nuclear isolation and pretreatment are both accomplished at the same time using mild concentrations of lysolecithin (e.g., 40 µg/ml) and protease (e.g., 0.3 µg/ml trypsin), such that a minimal amount of damage to non-cytoskeletal proteins, histones, and nucleic acid occurs. The minimum time and temperature required for detergent and protease treatment should be used. In the case of red blood cells this is about 10 minutes at 25°C, using 0.3 µg/ml of trypsin and 40 µg/ml of lysolecithin. As would be appreciated by one skill, the preferred time and temperature will change as the concentration of the reagents change.

[0046] Controlled treatment with ion-selective chelating agents may also be performed as an additional pretreatment. Suitable ion-selective chelating agents include EGTA which can chelate Ca²⁺, EDTA which can chelate Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and mimosine which can chelate of Cu²⁺, Al³⁺, and Fe³⁺. These ions stabilize higher order chromatin structure, thus their chelation may aid in chromatin decondensation.

[0047] Methods to terminate the detergent and protease pretreatment include adding proteins to adsorb detergents (such as 0.4% bovine serum albumin, the bovine serum albumin employed at this step should be prepared by dialysis of commercially available BSA fraction V against distilled water to remove soluble salts followed by lyophilization), and adding protease inhibitors (such as soybean trypsin inhibitor) to the reaction. The pretreated nuclei should be subsequently washed using an ice cold solution designed to preserve genomic DNA intactness. NIB buffer can be used for this purpose. NIB is made up of 250 mM sucrose, 25 mM NaCl, 10 mM Pipes, 1.5 mM MgCl₂, 0.5 mM spermidine, and 0.15 mM spermine, pH 7.0.

[0048] The overall efficacy of mild conditions to obtain a pretreated nucleus can be determined by: a) microscopic examination of nuclei to assess whether nuclei are free of their surrounding cytoskeleton and are free standing or clumped, clumping of nuclei is a strong indication of nuclear damage since many nuclei get trapped in released DNA; and b) the ability of nuclei to respond to activating egg extract, the use of mild conditions increases subsequent activation of individual nuclei and improves the synchrony and homogeneity with which the entire population of nuclei is activated.

(2) CSF Extract Treatment Of Nuclei

[0049] Non-activated CSF extract can be used to aid subsequent nuclear activation of non-dividing mammalian cell nuclei, including human cell nuclei to directly cause nuclear swelling as discussed in section II infra.

[0050] The ability of CSF extract to enhance activation may be increased by various supplement.

[0051] The CSF extract is preferably prepared from non-induced eggs arrested at meiotic metaphase. CSF extract prepared from non-induced eggs arrested at meiotic metaphase contain high levels of mitosis promoting factor (MPF) activity and cytostatic factor (CSF) activity. CSF and MPF are factors present in CSF extract which are believed to aid in subsequent activation of quiescent nuclei by altering cytosketal proteins, nuclear matrix proteins, and nuclear histones, particularly by phosphorylation of these proteins.

[0052] MPF is an activity controlling nuclear entry into mitosis and initiation of spindle assembly. MPF is composed of two catalytic subunits, p34^cdc2 and cyclin B. At the onset of anaphase, cyclin B is destroyed resulting in the inactivation of MPF. During anaphase the chromosomes move towards the two opposite poles of the spindle apparatus and subsequently decondense.

[0053] CSF is an activity responsible for metaphase arrest in unfertilized vertebrate eggs. CSF activity is due to at least two kinases: mitogen-activated kinase (MAP) and cdk2/cyclin (cdk2 is a kinase related to cdc2, but the regulatory subunit of cdk2 is cyclin E (or A) rather than cyclin B). The activities of MAP appears to be controlled by additional kinases such as c-Mos kinase.

[0054] One reason for obtaining CSF extract from eggs arrested at meiotic metaphase, is that both MPF and CSF are inactivated upon initiation of the cell cycle.

[0055] CSF extracts from non-induced Xenopus eggs can be prepared by a method based on the work of Lohka and Masui, Developmental Biology 103:434 (1984), as well as that of Murray et al., Nature 339:280 (1989). A procedure for obtaining CSF extract is as follows. Eggs are obtained from one or more ovulating frogs as described above. Each batch of freshly ovulated eggs, about 500 to 1000 eggs, is hardened as described above. Damaged and activated eggs are removed. The remaining eggs are combined into a large siliconized glass or teflon beaker and washed 4-5 times at room temperature (about 21°C) in approximately 500 ml EB-buffer containing 5 mM potassium EGTA, pH 7.5, (EB = 50 mM potassium gluconate, 250 mM sucrose, 10 mM potassium HEPES, 1.5 mM MgCl₂, pH adjusted to 7.5 with potassium hydroxide). The eggs are then transferred to a volumetric polyallomer centrifuge tube, mixed with Versilube F-50 oil (General Electric) at 0.2 ml oil/ml eggs, and are tight packed by centrifugation at 40X g for 1 minute, at room temperature. The overlaying oil and aqueous layers are removed and the eggs are crushed by centrifugation for 15 minutes at 9.000X g, at 2-4°C. The cytoplasmic layer between the yolk pellet and the overlaying lipid layer is collected from the bottom by puncturing the centrifuge tube with a syringe needle. Cytochalasin B is added to a final concentration of 10-50 µg/ml and potassium EGTA is added to a final concentration of 1 mM. The cytoplasmic material is mixed by gently pipetting or rocking back and forth, the cytoplasmic material is then centrifuged for 15 minutes at 9,000X g, at 2-4°C. An alternative centrifugation procedure involves preparation of a high speed supernatant by centrifugation at >100,000X g for 2 hrs at 2-4°C. In either case, the resulting second cytoplasmic supernatant (hereinafter "prepared CSF extract") is recovered and is either used fresh or is made 7.5-10% in glycerol and frozen for future use in the same manner as activating egg extract. Preferably, CSF extract is incubated at 25° C for 2 hours prior to freezing. The level of histone H1 kinase activity increases several fold during the period of incubation.

[0056] Frozen extracts can be used by thawing rapidly at room temperature and then placing on ice. Thawed extracts are preferably supplemented with an ATP regenerating system consisting of 10 mM creatine phosphate, and 10 µg/ml creatine phosphokinase.

[0057] The histone H1 kinase activity, the structural state of plasmid DNA added to the CSF extract, and the inability of CSF extract to cause nuclear activation, demonstrated that "prepared CSF extract" was arrested in meiotic metaphase. The histone H1 kinase activity of the CSF extract either before or after freezing was high. Upon activation of the extract with 1.2 to 4 mM Ca²⁺, the histone activity decreased. Preferably, 1.2 mM Ca²⁺ is used when CSF extract is supplemented with 1 mM EGTA to achieve recycling. No recycling occurs when 3 to 4 mM of Ca²⁺ is used in CSF extract supplemented in the presence of 1 mM EGTA. Negatively supercoiled circular plasmid DNA added to the extract relaxed. Lysolecithin-trypsin pretreated Xenopus erythrocyte nuclei added to CSF extract failed to swell or synthesize DNA.

[0058] Several supplements to CSF extract, in the proper concentration, increased the ability of CSF extract to enhance activation activity without resulting in premature DNA synthesis activity. Useful supplements include protein kinase inhibitors.

II. USE OF A CSF EXTRACT TO CAUSE NUCLEAR SWELLING

[0059] Nuclear swelling can be brought about in non-dividing nuclei by using a modified CSF extract, made by high or low speed centrifugation, or by using a CSF extract or modified CSF extract made by high speed centrifugation (a "partially purified CSF extract"). Use of a CSF extract to induce nuclear swelling is preferably carried out on isolated nuclei pretreated to separate the nuclei from its surrounding cytoskeleton, preferably with detergent and a protease as described herein. Preferably, the modified CSF extract is a partially purified CSF extract and is in any case modified by diluting with an aqueous solution and supplementing with a protein kinase inhibitor. Fresh CSF extract or frozen thawed extract can be modified.

[0060] Dilution of CSF extract to enhance its ability to cause nuclear swelling may be carried out using various aqueous solutions such as water and physiological pH buffers. The aqueous solution is preferably buffered to about pH 6.5 to about pH 7.5. An example of an appropriate buffer is EB buffer (EB = 50 mM potassium gluconate, 250 mM sucrose, 10 mM potassium HEPES, 1.5 mM MgCl₂, pH adjusted to 7.5 with potassium hydroxide). Preferably, the aqueous solution is added in an amount to achieve 25% to 75% dilution.,

[0061] The ability of CSF extract to cause nuclear swelling can also be enhanced by using a protein kinase inhibitor such as DMAP or staurosporine. DMAP and staurosporine are broad range kinase inhibitors able to inhibit the actions of both CSF and MPF. Other protein kinase inhibitor able to inhibit CSF and/or MPF can be obtained by one skilled in the art. The chosen kinase inhibitor can preferably inhibit both CSF and MPF.

[0062] Preferably, 2.5-5 mM of DMAP is used. The use of protein kinase inhibitors should block kinase activities in the extract, including histone H1 kinase and result in the treated nuclei forming envelopes but failing to initiate DNA replication. The proper protein kinase inhibitor concentration can be empirically determined by one skilled in the art by measuring the extent of swelling and DNA replication in the presence of different amount of protein kinase inhibitors.

[0063] An aqueous solution and a protein kinase inhibitor are both used to modify CSF extract. Nuclei treated with diluted CSF extract supplemented with DMAP (CSF-DMAP) swell to a greater volume than nuclei treated with undiluted CSF-DMAP. Preferably, CSF containing a protein kinase inhibitor (CSF-PKH) is diluted 25 % to 75% using an appropriate buffer and nuclei are incubated for more than 60 minutes at 25°C, and more preferably around 90 minutes at 25°C prior to measuring nuclei swelling.

[0064] Diluted CSF-PKH extract can be further modified by altering the Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ion concentration to further increase swelling, and affect chromatin condensation and decondensation. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ion concentration can be altered by addition of these ions or by removal of these ions by using chelating agents, such as ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) (e.g., 5 mM), or ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N'N'-Tetraacetic Acid (EGTA) (e.g., 5 mM) . Altering the free Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ion concentration in the diluted CSF-PKH has the effect of changing the extent of nuclear swelling and the appearance of the chromatin within the nucleus. Very low or absent Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ion levels enhance nuclear swelling and chromatin decompaction. Increasing Ca²⁺ to 1.2 mM prevents significant nuclear swelling and chromatin decompaction. The optimal amount of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and chelator can be empirically determined by varying the amount of chelator and cation concentration and measuring nuclei swelling.

[0065] Chelating agents or other agents which cause chromatin decondensation, such as polyanions like heparin and TPP or thiol reducing agents like DTT, need not be added directly to the diluted CSF-PKH extract. These additional agents may be used to further swell or decondense the nuclei after treatment in diluted CSF-PKH extract.

III. ACTIVATION OF MAMMALIAN SPERM

[0066] The present invention also features a method for activating mammalian sperm, which is particularly suitable for the activation of human sperm. The method involves the pretreatment of human sperm with a protease (trypsin). The pretreated sperm can be activated using the various procedures described herein, i.e. using a CSF extract supplemented with an aqueous solution and a protein kinase inhibitor to achieve nuclear swelling.

[0067] The preferred method for activating a sperm involves (1) pretreatment involving a protease, a detergent, a thiol reducing agent, and preferably a thiol blocking to prevent reassociation of sulfhydryl groups; (2) further pretreatment using CSF extract. Sperm can be obtained using techniques known in the art. Pretreatment can be carried out using a protease and a detergent either sequentially, or at the same time, followed by a thiol reducing agent, followed by a thiol blocking agent.

[0068] An example of a preferred protocol is as follows:

1. Lyse sperm in 100 µg/ml lysolecithin for 5 min at 25°C.

2. Treat with 100 µg/ml trypsin for 5-15 minutes (10 minutes is optimum) at 25°C.

3. Stop the lysolecithin and trypsin treatment by using 30 µg/ml soybean trypsin inhibitor and 0.4% bovine serum albumin.

4. Incubate sperm nuclei in 5 mM dithiothreitol for 60 minutes at 4°C.

5. Stop reaction 4 by incubating nuclei in 1 mM N-ethylmaleimide for 10 minutes at 25°C.

6. Incubate nuclei in CSF extract for 90 min at 25°C, followed by 60 minutes at 4°C.

[0069] The above procedure results in nuclear swelling without nuclear envelope formation during the CSF pretreatment step (step 6). Steps 1-3, or their equivalent, are all required to achieve complete swelling, nuclear envelope formation, and DNA replication.

[0070] Activation of sperm cells have various uses including being used to determine whether the sperm contains a particular gene or nucleic acid sequence which can be passed on during fertilization. Such studies are useful, for example, to study the effect of aging on sperm; detect chromosomal defects; and determine whether foreign genes (such as those present in the human immuno deficiency virus (HIV)) are present is sperm.

[0071] An example of the usefulness of this aspect of the invention is in the field of animal breeding, particularly the breeding of transgenically modified animals. Transgenically modified non-human animals are usually created by injecting DNA sequences into early non-human embryos. If the injected DNA integrates into the host cell genome, it may end up in the germ line of the adult animal after the animal matures. Transgenic male animals are particularly desirable since they can be bred to many females. However, prior to breeding the percentage of modified germ cells, as well as the copy number and distribution of the inserted genes in each cell is not known.

[0072] The methods and reagents provided herein for activating sperm cell nuclei and examining their genetic composition, for example via in situ hybridization, make it possible to determine the percentage of sperm carrying one or more copies of the inserted gene. This information can used to access the likelihood that a particular gene will be passed on to a future generation, prior to breeding the animal. Such information is desirable because of the time and expense required to breed an animal.

IV. NUCLEAR ACTIVATION ASSAY

[0073] The procedures disclosed by the present invention, to activate nuclei, can also be used as a general assay procedure to measure nuclear activation and the presence of a nucleic acid sequence in activated nuclei. The assay would be particularly useful to identify and purify factors present in CSF extract and to study male fertility.

[0074] Another use of a nuclear activation assay is to study male fertility by measuring the extent of activation of human sperm under different conditions. Such studies can be used, for example, to examine techniques to preserve sperm so the sperm can be later used in in vitro fertilization, to test sperm of infertile men to identify causes of male infertility (see, Brown et al., Yale Journal Of Biology And Medicine 65:29 (1992) (not admitted to be prior art), and test possible male contraceptives.

[0075] In virtually all species of animals, sperm cells undergo two reactions, capacitation and the acrosome response, before reaching and fusing with the egg surface. After the sperm nucleus enters an egg it undergoes several changes. The nucleus swells, acquires a nuclear envelope and lamina, replicates its DNA, and eventually fuses with the female pronucleus. During this process, sperm basic proteins (histones and protamines), are exchanged for embryonic histones.

[0076] It appears that in order for a sperm nucleus to respond to an egg cytoplasm it must first undergo some form of proteolytic digestion. A likely site of necessary proteolytic digestion are non-histone cytoskeletal proteins. Possible contraceptives could target necessary proteolytic enzymes. The affect of the contraceptive could be determined by assaying the degree to which activation is inhibited. Possible contraceptives could also target other enzymes which may be needed for activation.

[0077] Alternatively, the assay could be used to determine conditions which result in higher levels of activation thereby finding conditions which enhance fertilization.

[0078] Specific uses of the nuclear activation assay include the following:

1) Assaying sperm cell treated under different conditions of preparation, cryopreservation, capacitation and handling;

2) Assaying the affect of sperm cell enzymes (e.g., proteases, nucleases, phosphatases, and kinases), including the inhibition of sperm cell enzymes, on activation;

3) An assay to purify enzymes affecting activation;

4) Assaying the sperm from infertile individuals to determine if infertility is due to problems with sperm nuclear activation;

5) Assaying the ability of specific drugs or reagents to enhance or inhibit activation;

6) Assaying the affect of inhibitors or activators of sperm cell enzymes on activation;

7) Assaying for the presence of a gene used to create a transgenic animal; and

8) Assaying for the presence of viral genome, such as HIV present in sperm.

[0079] The specific nuclear activation assay used to study fertility would be tailored to study a particular aspect of activation. For example, to assay the effect of reagents on activation the sperm should be handled and prepared under mild conditions. As discussed above mild conditions are useful in minimizing inadvertent activation of proteases or nucleases. To obtain sperm for the activation assay, fresh sperm samples should be first washed in isotonic saline solution under mild conditions. The sperm can then be stored by freezing in liquid nitrogen under controlled conditions in the presence of a cryoprotectant. Martin et al., in PREIMPLANTATION GENETICS, Plenum Press, New York (Verinsky and Kuliev, eds, 1991).

[0080] Fresh or frozen/thawed sperm can be treated under conditions which result in capacitation as described by Martin et al. Supra. The sperm membrane is then permeabilized under mild conditions as described above (e.g., lysolecithin is used to permeabilize the membrane) . The nuclei are then recovered from lysed sperm by mild centrifugation in isosmotic buffer. Nuclei are preferably pretreated as described above in Section II (e.g., using a membrane permeabilizer, a protease, and a thiol reducing agent).

[0081] The nuclei can then be further pretreated (e.g., using CSF extract containing 100 µM ca²⁺).

[0082] In situ hybridization can be carried out to determine the presence, number and location of particular DNA sequences. The effect of various reagents on nuclear activation can be determined by adding reagents to the sperm before or after the various individual steps of isolation, pretreatment, further pretreatment or contact with egg extract.

V. RETROVIRAL INTEGRATION ASSAY

[0083] The assays described herein can be used to examine integration of proviral nucleic acid, such as from HIV, into host DNA. The assays can be carried out using a whole nucleus or a pseudonucleus. Such assays can be used to identify target sites to inhibit proviral integration, and to derive anti-viral agents directed at such target sites.

[0084] A provirus is the double-stranded DNA form of a retrovirus. It is synthesized in the cytoplasm of a cell infected with a retrovirus by reverse transcription of the viral RNA. Integration of the provirus DNA into the host cell genome is a critical step in the life cycle of all retroviruses, including HIV-1, and leads to viral expression and new virus production. Thus, by blocking viral integration, viral propagation (e.g., viral multiplication and/or viral infection) can be inhibited.

[0085] An integration assay can be performed as follows:

1. A cell nucleus is pretreated to separate the nucleus from its surrounding cytoskeleton to form a pretreated nucleus. The choice of cell nucleus can be varied depending on the virus studied. Preferably, the cell nucleus will be obtained from a cell which is a natural host for the virus. Examples of cells susceptible to retroviral infection include mammal and plant cells. Preferably, a human cell nucleus is used.

2. The pretreated nucleus is activated and incubated with a viral integration complex. A viral integration complex contains the proviral double stranded DNA form of the viral RNA and material needed for viral integration. Thus, the integration complex contains an integrase and may contain other viral enzymes and proteins. An integration complex can be obtained by one skilled in the art using standard techniques. For example, a high speed supernatant of cells infected with a virus can be used as an integration complex. (Brown, et al., Cell 49:347, 1987). Alternatively, an integration complex can be obtained from purified viral integrase and specific oligonucleotides having the viral sequences needed for integration (Engelman et al., Cell 67:1211, 1991). The integration complex can be added to nuclei, chromatin or pseudonuclei, at different points in the cell cycle. For example, incubation can take place before (e.g., prior to activation), during the time that nuclei are swelling and forming nuclear envelopes in CSF extract and activating extract, or during chromatin assembly, nuclear envelope formation or replication of pseudonuclei.

3. Measuring integration of the viral nucleic acid into the host nucleic acid. The measurement can be carried out using standard techniques such as through the use of hybridization probes targeted to viral nucleic acid sequences. The use of hybridization probes can be facilitated by amplification techniques such as PCR amplification. Preferably, unintegrated viral nucleic acid is separated from host nuclei acid prior to using the hybridization assay probe. A separation step is useful for decreasing hybridization of probes to viral nucleic acid not incorporated into the host genome. Separation can be carried out, for example, by centrifugation of nuclei through glycerol or electrophoresis of isolated nucleic acids.

[0086] Alternatively an integration assay can be carried out using a pseudonucleus. A pseudonucleus can be constructed from a plasmid DNA template which is then used as a target for retroviral integration rather than intact activated nucleus. This approach has the advantage that the oligonucleotide size of the plasmid genome is much smaller than that of a whole eukaryotic nucleus and the sequence of the plasmid genome is either known or can be readily established.

[0087] A pseudonucleus can be constructed by adding plasmid DNA to a fresh or frozen/thawed CSF extract (e.g., at 0.1 - 20 ng/µl). This material can be used immediately or frozen for latter use. The plasmid DNA can form chromatin in the CSF extract. (For example, see Sanchez et al., Journal of Cell Science 103:907, 1992 and Wangh, Journal of Cell Science 93:1, 1989, describing such chromatin formation using plasmid FV1 dervived from type 1 BPV in intact Xenopus eggs).

[0088] The assay is carried out by activating the chromatin and measuring integration of viral nucleic acid. For example, the chromatin is diluted into an additional sample of CSF extract which is activated (e.g., by the addition of 1.2 mM Ca²⁺). Activation triggers nuclear envelope formation around the chromatin and causes the chromatin to replicate.

[0089] Thus, an activation assay can be performed using a pseudonucleus in place of a pretreated nucleus as follows: 1) forming a pseudonucleus; 2) activating the pseudonucleus, and incubating with an integration complex containing viral nucleic acid before activation or at different times after activation; and 3) measuring integration of the viral nucleic acid into the nucleic acid of the pseudonucleus.

[0090] Using an integration assay, it can be determined when viral integration occurs during the cell cycle, and if an agent is effective in inhibiting viral integration. For example, the importance of different stages of the cell cycle in viral integration can be evaluated using CSF or activating extracts supplemented with DMAP, aphidicolin, and inhibitors of type II topoisomerase. DMAP and aphidicolin block DNA replication but allow nuclear swelling and chromatin decondensation to proceed. Inhibitors of type II topoisomerase block chromatin decondensation, which requires type II topoisomerase activity. Examples of the use of such drugs include the following:

1) If drugs such as DMAP and aphidicolin inhibit chromatin decondensation but fail to inhibit viral integration, then chromatin decondensation after mitosis is probably all that is necessary for integration. In this instance, drugs could be designed to prevent integration during or prior to chromatin decondensation.

2) If integration (i.e., insertion of the proviral DNA into the target genome) and circularization (i.e., insertion of the proviral DNA into itself) are both blocked by DMAP and aphidicolin, then on-going DNA synthesis is probably required for viral integration. Accordingly viral integration during DNA synthesis could be targeted. If DNA synthesis is required for proviral' integration, it can then be determined whether integration occurs before or after the host genome target is replicated. For example, bromodeoxyuridine triphosphate (BrdUTP) can be added to reactions to increase the density of newly synthesized DNA strands. Samples can then be collected at the end of the S phase when genome replication is complete. After electrophoretically removing all unintegrated viral molecules, the genomic DNA can then be cleaved with a restriction enzyme that recognizes two or more sites within the viral genome. The preparation can then be fractionated, for example, by CsCl density gradient centrifugation and probed for released segments of the virus. If the provirus is inserted into the host genome before replication, the viral DNA will be recovered in the heavy/light density peak, along with virtually all the genomic DNA. On the other hand, if the provirus is inserted after its target sequence has replicated, the viral DNA will be in the light/light peak. After determining the timing of integration, drugs can be designed to inhibit integration and tested.

3) If integration takes place in the presence of DMAP or aphidicolin, but not both, this would indicate that DNA synthesis, per se, is not required for integration, but cell cycle-dependent properties of the cytoplasm influences integration.

[0091] Thus one skilled in the art can identify when, during the life cycle of a cell, viral integration occurs, target drugs to inhibit such viral integration, and assay whether an agent inhibits viral integration. Agents which inhibit retroviral integration may be used as therapeutic agents to treat a person infected with a retrovirus (such as HIV) or prevent an uninfected person from being infected with a retrovirus. A retroviral "therapeutic agent" refers to an agent which reduces, to some extent, the in vivo propagation of a retrovirus and preferably reduces, to some extent, one or more of the symptoms associated with a retroviral infection.

VI. ACTIVATION KITS

[0092] The technology disclosed in the present invention can be used to produce activation kits useful for clinical activation of nuclei and scientific research. These kits are particularly useful for prenatal screening. Uses of activation kits to aid in scientific research include facilitating the study of complex biochemical activities including the assembly of nucleosomes and chromatin on plasmid or viral DNA, formation of eukaryotic nuclear envelopes surrounding nuclear templates, semi-conservative replication of double stranded DNA within eukaryotic nuclei, conservative repair replication of single stranded DNA independent of nuclear envelope assembly, activation of quiescent cell nuclei, nuclear envelope breakdown, condensation of chromatin into chromosomes, formation of meiotic and mitotic spindles, regulated transcription of eukaryotic genes, and protein synthesis.

[0093] A basic activation kit according to the present invention comprises the product as recited in claim 1 of the present invention. The extracts are prepared based upon the methods described in the present invention. Kits contain supplements which aid in activation. The supplements are either in separate containers or are present in the egg extract.

[0094] Preferably, these supplements are in separate containers. Supplements are protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., DMAP).

[0095] The activation kits could also be supplemented with reagents used to study activation in general or determine the extent of genome replication. Useful supplements for these activities include radioactive nucleotides, biotinylated nucleotides and different dyes (e.g., biotin-Texas Red streptavidin and Hoechst).

VII. CLONING NON-HUMAN WHOLE ANIMALS FROM SOMATIC CELL NUCLEI

[0096] The procedures disclosed by the present invention, to activate nuclei, may be useful for preparing a non-human nucleus for subsequent transplantation into a non-human egg for the purpose of directing the development of a new organism. Prior to nuclear transplantation, the non-human nucleus to be transplanted is activated in vitro. The activated non-human nucleus is then transplanted into a non-human egg whose own nucleus has either been removed or functionally inactivated. The egg subsequently develops into an new organism under the direction of genetic information contained in the transplanted nucleus. Uses of cloning somatic cell nuclei include, creation of a clone of genetically identical animals, cloning animals having favorable attributes, and producing more animals which are in danger of becoming extinct.

[0097] A difficulty in cloning somatic cell nuclei from mammalian species is that these nuclei are imprinted with patterns of gene structure and function (e.g., DNA methylation patterns) which differ from sperm and egg nuclei patterns. Thus, it is necessary to reprogram somatic cell nuclei before cloning to eliminate the different patterns. Prior activation of somatic cell nuclei in an appropriate egg extract before transplanting should allow for the necessary reprogramming to enable a transplanted nucleus to give rise to either a complete, or substantially complete new organism.

[0098] Cloning using a somatic cell nucleus comprises three steps; (1) activating the somatic cell nucleus, (2) preparing a recipient egg, and (3) transplanting the somatic cell nucleus into the egg. The first step is carried out including using the improved procedures, disclosed above, to activate a nucleus.

[0099] Preparation of a recipient egg will vary depending upon the egg source. The egg source should be treated in a manner to prevent activation before nuclear transplantation. Procedures to prepare mammalian eggs, such as those described by Martin et al. supra, are know in the art.

[0100] Preparation of a recipient egg includes destroying the egg's pronucleus. Destruction or removal of the egg's own nucleus guarantees that the eggs genetic material (DNA) does not contribute to the growth and development of the newly cloned individual. One method of destroying the pronucleus is by using ultraviolet light as described by Gurdon, in METHODS IN CELL BIOLOGY, XENOPUS LAEVIS:PRACTICAL USES IN CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 36:299-309, Academic Press, California. (Kay and Peng eds., 1991). Alternatively, the egg pronucleus can be surgically removed by procedures known in the art such as those described by King, in METHODS IN CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2:1-36, Academic Press, New York (D.M. Prescott, ed., 1966), and McGrath and Solter, Science 220:1300-1319 (1983).

[0101] Nuclear transplantation can be carried out by standard techniques. These techniques, vary depending upon the species, and are known in the art.

[0102] It should be possible to clone Xenopus in the following manner: nuclei from Xenopus red blood cells are isolated, pretreated, and further pretreated. Nuclei are then activated by contact with an activating egg extract. The nuclei are then activated to different stages in the cell cycle (e.g., S-phase, G2, etc.), and transferred to recipient prepared Xenopus eggs.

[0103] Recipient Xenopus eggs are prepared for nuclear transplantation by hardening using Ca²⁺ (as described above), and then irradiating with ultraviolet light to destroy the egg's genome. One to two activated somatic nuclei, in 20 to 50 nanoliters are then microinjected into the Xenopus egg, into the clear cytoplasmic region that lies approximately 400 microns below the animal pole of the egg. The egg is then incubated under conditions that permit cytoplasm rotation. These conditions can be conveniently obtained by floating the egg on Metrizamide. Rotation of the egg cytoplasm relative to the egg cortex is important for establishment of the proper dorsal/ventral axis of the developing vertebrate non-human embryo.

VIII. EXAMPLES

Example 1: Induction optimization

[0104] This example describes experiments carried out to determine the optimal induction time for an activating egg extract. Protein synthesis during the early part of the first cell cycle in activated eggs or egg extracts is required for preparation of an activating extract capable of efficient and complete genome replication. The required proteins can either be synthesized in intact eggs before preparation of extracts or in extracts including frozen/thawed extracts. As noted above, activating egg extract should be prepared from extracts induced for more than 10 minutes to enhance DNA synthesis activation activity.

[0105] It was found that proteins synthesized during the first 28-30 minutes in intact eggs (incubated at 20°C) or during the first 60-80 minutes in a freshly prepared and activated extract (incubated at 25°C), promote subsequent DNA replication. In contrast, proteins synthesized later in the first cell cycle, i.e., after replication is underway, inhibit DNA synthesis. The changes in DNA synthesis can be detected as alterations in the time which DNA synthesis starts, the initial rate of replication, and the overall amount of replication.

[0106] The amount of CaCl₂ used to induce a freshly prepared CSF extract regulates whether or not the extract exits meiotic metaphase arrest, traverses the first interphase, and re-enters the first M-phase. As judged by measurements of histone H1' kinase activity, fresh CSF extract induced by the addition of 3 mM CaCl₂ exits meiotic metaphase, enters interphase, but fails to enter mitosis-I. In contrast, CSF extract induced with 1.2 mM CaCl₂ exits meiotic metaphase, enters interphase, and then proceeds into mitosis-I, as indicated by a second peak in H1 kinase activity.

[0107] For the purpose of comparison, extracts were prepared from eggs induced and incubated at 20°C for varying lengths of time before being crushed. In all cases the eggs were amassed, induced, washed, crushed, and extracts were prepared as described for prepared activating extracts with the following modifications: (1) all tubes and pipette tips used to prepare egg extracts were first treated with 1% diethylpyrocarbonate to destroy ribonuclease activity and (2) all the steps in extract preparation were carried out using plastic gloves to avoid ribonuclease contamination. Extracts were frozen on an aluminum block, chilled with liquid nitrogen. and then thawed at a later time prior to being used. DNA synthesis was followed by incorporation of P³²dCTP, followed by electrophoresis and phosphoimager analysis.

[0108] The results demonstrate that optimal DNA synthesis activating extracts are obtained by synchronously inducing batches of eggs and incubating them for 28-30 minutes at 20°C. Of the time periods tested the 28-30 minute extracts initiated nuclear replication earliest, synthesized DNA fastest, and replicated more DNA, then egg extracts induced for 10 minutes, 22 minutes, 34 minutes or 40 minutes. The overall order for earlier nuclear replication, faster DNA synthesis, and extent of DNA replication was as follows: 10 minutes < 22 minutes < 25 minutes < 28 minutes > 34 minutes > 40 minutes. Because the cell cycle of the egg is so rapid, even small differences in the length of incubation period or the temperature of incubation result in suboptimal extracts.

[0109] It was also determined that maximal replication, even in the frozen/thawed 28-30 minute extract, depends on continuing protein synthesis during the first 30 minutes of the in vitro incubation. Activating egg extract were prepared as described above, induced for 28 minutes. Cycloheximide was added just prior to induction, or 30 minutes after induction. Maximal DNA replication was observed for control (no cycloheximide) and cycloheximide added 30 minutes after induction, while zero minute cycloheximide addition resulted in significantly less DNA replication. This suggests that the proteins required for efficient replication are relatively unstable but are abundantly synthesized from mRNAs recruited onto polysomes during the first 28-30 minutes following egg induction.

Example 2. CSF Extract supplemented With DMAP And Treated With Activating Extract

[0110] Addition of 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP) to CSF extracts was used to further pretreat Xenopus erythrocyte nuclei and stimulate subsequent DNA replication in activating egg extract. DMAP can be used to inhibit nucleic acid synthesis and protein kinase activity. Xenopus erythrocyte nuclei were isolated and pretreated as described in Example 1 above, and incubated in thawed "prepared CSF extract" supplemented with 80 mM β-glycerol-PO₄, and 5 µg/ml nocodazole at a concentration of 2000 nuclei/µl. Further pretreatment was carried out by incubation for 30 minutes at 4°C, then 30 minutes at 25°C, then 60 minutes at 4°C. Half the samples were supplemented with 5 mM DMAP before addition of the nuclei. After the two hours of incubation, each sample was diluted with 9 volumes of activating egg extract, supplemented with 5 µg/ml nocodazole (this dose of nocodazole slows down the rate of replication) and approximately 160 µCi/ml P³²-dCTP. Aliquots were removed over time to measure DNA replication.

[0111] As illustrated by Fig. 1, the addition of DMAP to CSF extracts enhanced the ability of the CSF extract to stimulate subsequent DNA replication in activating egg extract. DMAP decreased the lag time before the onset of replication and increased the initial rate and total amount of DNA synthesis.

Example 3: Use of Diluted CSF Extract Supplemented with DMAP

[0112] This example illustrates the use of diluted CSF extract supplemented with DMAP to achieve nuclear envelope formation and nuclear structure in the absence of DNA synthesis. Xenopus erythrocyte nuclei were isolated and pretreated using lysolecithin and trypsin. "Prepared CSF extract" was made using high speed centrifugation and frozen by spotting the extract, made 7.5-10% (v/v) glycerol, as a 20 µl droplet onto a block of aluminum immersed in liquid nitrogen. Aliquots of the extract were thawed on ice and supplemented with 10 mM creatine phosphate, 10 µg/ml creatine phosphokinase, 80 mM β-glycerol-PO₄, and 0.1 mM CaCl₂. While still on ice the CSF extract received a small volume (1/33^rd) of DMAP to a final concentration of 5 mM, and was then diluted with different amounts of EB buffer as follows: mixture 1, 100% = extract only no EB; mixture 2, 75% = 3 volumes extract + 1 volume EB; mixture 3, 50% = 1 volume extract + 1 volume EB; and mixture 4, 25% = 1 volume extract + 3 volumes EB.

[0113] Each of these mixtures was warmed to 25°C and incubated for 15 minutes. Pretreated nuclei were then added in 1/10 the volume to a final concentration of 2000 nuclei/µl. Samples from each incubate were taken immediately (0), 60, 90, 120 minutes later and fixed, examined, and photographed. Nuclei treatment with diluted CSF-DMAP resulted in greater swelling than nuclei treated with undiluted CSF-DMAP. Nuclei treated with mixture 3 had a larger extent of nuclear swelling, nuclear envelope formation, and chromatin decondensation, than nuclei treated with the other mixtures. Additional experiments using P³²-dCTP and biotinylated-dUTP demonstrated that no DNA synthesis took place during the process of nuclear swelling described above.

Example 4 : Use of Diluted CSF Extract Supplemented With DMAP, MgCl₂ and EGTA

[0114] This example illustrates the effect of diluted CSF extract supplemented with DMAP, MgCl₂ and EGTA on nuclear envelope formation, swelling, and chromatin structure. Nuclei were treated as described in Example 7 prior to the addition of CSF extract. The CSF extract (prepared as in Example 7), while still on ice was supplemented as follows: 5 mM DMAP, 16 µM Biotinylated-dUTP and 16 µM MgCl₂. The supplemented extract was diluted with an equal volume of EB buffer containing 5 mM potassium EGTA, pH 7. This mixture was warmed to 25°C and incubated for 15 minutes. Pretreated nuclei were then added in 1/10 the volume to a final concentration of 2000 nuclei/µl. Samples from each incubate were taken immediately 0, 15, 45, 60, and 90 minutes later and were fixed, examined, and photographed.

[0115] The 50% CSF-DMAP, supplemented with EGTA and MgCl₂, caused pretreated erythrocyte nuclei to rapidly swell and acquire a nuclear envelope. No biotin incorporation into DNA was observed. Thus in contrast to Example 7, swelling took place in the absence of DNA synthesis. In addition, the DNA observed in this example was more compacted than the DNA observed in example 8. The difference between this example and example 8 is' likely due to the alteration of CSF extract cation concentration, and composition. For example, the EGTA may chelate the Ca²⁺ thereby lowering the Ca²⁺ while additional Mg²⁺ is added to increase the Mg²⁺ concentration.

[0116] Despite the difficulties encountered, the present invention can be used to activate non-dividing human nuclei. The non-dividing human nuclei activated analogously to Xenopus erythrocyte nuclei. Therefore, the improvements described in the present invention, which result in increasing the activation of non-dividing Xenopus erythrocyte are applicable to activate non-dividing human nuclei.

[0117] Other embodiments are within the following claims.

Claims

1. A product capable of swelling a nucleus of a non-dividing cell comprising

a) a cytostatic factor-containing cytoplasm that is extracted from at least one cell in meiotic metaphase II,

b) an aqueous solution, and

c) a protein kinase inhibitor.

2. The product of claim 1 wherein the aqueous solution is an aqueous buffer containing potassium gluconate.

3. The product of claim 2 wherein the aqueous buffer has a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.

4. The product of any of claims 1-3 wherein the protein kinase inhibitor is an inhibitor of histone H1 kinase.

5. The product of any of claims 1-4 wherein the protein kinase inhibitor is 6-dimethylaminopurine.

6. The product of any of claims 1-5 further including at least one additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of Ca²⁺ salts, Mg²⁺ salts, and agents that chelate Ca²⁺ cations.

7. The product of claim 6 wherein the additional ingredient is ethylene glycol-bis (β amino ethyl ether) N, N, N¹, N^1-tetraacetic acid.

8. The product of any of claims 1-7 wherein the cytostatic factor-containing cytoplasm has been frozen.

9. The product of any of claims 1-8 wherein the cytostatic factor-containing cytoplasm is extracted from Xenopus frog eggs.

10. A method of in vitro swelling a nucleus of an animal cell except for cells obtained from a human embryo comprising the steps of:

a) separating or altering the cytoskeleton surrounding the nucleus, and

b) incubating said nucleus with the product of any of claims 1-9.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the cytoskeleton is separated from the nucleus prior to said incubation.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein separating the cytoskeleton from the nucleus includes permeabilizing said cell with a detergent and treating said cell with at least one reagent selected from the group of proteases, polyanions and thiol reducing agents.

Revendications

1. Produit capable de gonfler un noyau d'une cellule indivisible, comprenant :

a) un cytoplasme contenant un facteur cytostatique qui est extrait d'au moins une cellule dans une métaphase II méiotique,

b) une solution aqueuse, et

c) un inhibiteur de protéine kinase.

2. Produit selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la solution aqueuse est un tampon aqueux contenant du gluconate de potassium.

3. Produit selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le tampon aqueux a un pH entre 6,5 et 7,5.

4. Produit selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel l'inhibiteur de protéine kinase est un inhibiteur de kinase histone H1.

5. Produit selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel l'inhibiteur de protéine kinase est du 6-diméthylaminopurine.

6. Produit selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, comprenant en plus au moins un ingrédient supplémentaire sélectionné dans le groupe comprenant des sels de Ca²⁺, des sels de Mg²⁺, et des agents qui chélatent les cations Ca²⁺.

7. Produit selon la revendication 6, dans lequel l'ingrédient supplémentaire est de l'acide éthylèneglycol-bis(β aminoéthyléther) N, N, N¹, N¹-tétraacétique.

8. Produit selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel le cytoplasme contenant un facteur cytostatique a été congelé.

9. Produit selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel le cytoplasme contenant le facteur cytostatique est extrait d'oeufs de grenouille Xénopus.

10. Procédé pour provoquer le gonflement in vitro d'un noyau d'une cellule animale, à l'exception de cellules obtenues à partir d'un embryon humain, comprenant les étapes consistant à :

a) séparer ou altérer le cytosquelette entourant le noyau, et

b) incuber ledit noyau avec le produit selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9.

11. Procédé selon la revendication 10, dans lequel le cytosquelette est séparé du noyau avant ladite incubation.

12. Procédé selon la revendication 11, dans lequel la séparation du cytosquelette d'avec le noyau comprend la perméabilisation de ladite cellule avec un détergent, et le traitement de ladite cellule avec au moins un réactif sélectionné dans le groupe comprenant des protéases, des polyanions et des réducteurs de thiol.

Ansprüche

1. Produkt, das in der Lage ist, einen Kern einer nichtteilenden Zelle zu quellen, umfassend

a) ein Cytoplasma, das einen cytostatischen Faktor enthält, das aus mindestens einer Zelle in der meiotischen Metaphase II extrahiert wird,

b) eine wässrige Lösung, und

c) einen Proteinkinase Inhibitor.

2. Produkt nach Anspruch 1, wobei die wässrige Lösung ein wässriger Puffer, der Kaliumgluconat enthält, ist.

3. Produkt nach Anspruch 2, wobei der wässrige Puffer einen pH zwischen 6.5 und 7,5 aufweist.

4. Produkt nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 3, wobei der Proteinkinase Inhibitor ein Inhibitor von Histon H1 Kinase ist.

5. Produkt nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 4, wobei der Proteinkinase Inhibitor 6-Dimethylaminopurin ist.

6. Produkt nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 5, weiter umfassend mindestens einen zusätzlichen Bestandteil, der ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Ca²⁺ Salzen, Mg²⁺ Salzen und Agenzien, die Ca²⁺ Kationen chelatieren.

7. Produkt nach Anspruch 6, wobei der zusätzliche Bestandteil Ethylenglykol-bis (β Aminoethylether) N, N, N¹, N¹'-Tetraessigsäure ist.

8. Produkt nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 7, wobei das Cytoplasma, das den cytostatischen Faktor enthält, gefroren wurde.

9. Produkt nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 8, wobei Cytoplasma, das den cytostatischen Faktor enthält, aus Xenopus Froscheiern extrahiert wird.

10. Verfahren zum in vitro Quellen eines Kerns einer tierischen Zelle, ohne Zellen, die aus einem humanen Embryo erhalten wurden, umfassend die Schritte:

a) Trennen oder Verändern des Cytoskeletts, das den Kern umgibt, und

b) Inkubieren des Kerns mit dem Produkt nach einem der Ansprüche 1-9.

11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, wobei das Cytoskelett von dem Kern vor der Inkubation getrennt wird.

12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11, wobei das Trennen des Cytoskeletts von dem Kern Permeablisieren der Zelle mit einem Detergenz und Behandeln der Zelle mit mindestens einem Reagenz, das ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe von Proteasen, Polyanionen und Thiol reduzierenden Agenzien, einschließt.

Drawing